7. When The Stars Threw Down Their Spears

Meanwhile, G'Kar, sitting at Londo's uncomfortable prison bench, was writing new passages of his book and contemplating possible actions and outcomes. Not that he didn't think that Londo was doing his best, but Mollari indeed was uncharacteristically lost and frightened, even for him. G'Kar though had profound faith in the universe and its ability to show proper ways to those who can observe.

And so it happened that such an earlier observation came to fruition. The cell door squeaked, producing most irritating noise and then a guard with a foolishly incoherent gaze let Lyta Alexander inside.

'Hello, G'Kar.'

'Lyta Alexander!' exclaimed G'Kar. 'What a joy to see you here. You are just the person I needed most!'

Lyta waited until the annoying noise of closing doors passed.

'Yes, I've heard that before, G'Kar. Usually before being tasked with defeating ancient enemy ships, rescuing somebody or helping to bring totalitarian government down. Never heard it without those extraordinarily circumstances and so forgive me, G'Kar, if I'm a bit skeptical.'

'I can only say that I would be most grateful for helping me and people I care about' retorted G'Kar seriously. 'And that my gratitude will have more substantial aspects to it as we had discussed previously.'

'Which is why I agreed' said Lyta coldly. 'What is that atrocious smell, by the way?'

'Oh, I merely helped Londo to get out of here while saving face.' G'Kar giggled happily at the memory of Londo's protests and following panic. I trust you didn't have any troubles getting here?'

Lyta smirked.

'Actually everybody was getting out of their skins to be as helpful to me as possible. Pity it wouldn't last. They would also swear on their souls that they never saw anybody around.'

'Very well. Then I would ask you now to utilize this skills to follow Londo around. And scan people who he talks with.'

'You want me to just go out there and scan everybody? You know, I might have retained some moral principles despite everything. I trust it's not another of your tests.'

'No. Oh, I know that scanning everybody will result in scanning innocent ones... Except I also believe that no one here is innocent. We're at Centauri Royal Court, Lyta, surely you understand what a place that is. We need to know as much as possible or consequences would be most unpleasant. Especially that from your presence here I gather you've discovered something or someone linked with Shadows.'

'We found Shadow devices for controlling ships' admitted Lyta. 'The attacking Centauri ships didn't have real crew, only those. We suspect that races once serving Shadows may try to take over the Centauri.'

'Well, that would mean that Mollari's dreams are actually smarter than him, however he hates them. We kind of suspected as much, but weren't able to specify the details. The more reason for you to look around. I know very well this is dangerous, but...'

'Spare me it, G'Kar, would you?' snapped Lyta folding her arms. 'You're paying me for that, and it's all the reason needed. Though I have a feeling I should demand that you double my salary while I still can.'

'If you save Londo Mollari and Centauri Prime from whatever is going on, I will double it' promised G'Kar solemnly. 'From my personal account if needed. Or I'll work for you even.'

Lyta gave him a thoughtful look.

'Well, then. I'm going. And I'm gonna enjoy finding some Shadow's ass-kissers and hurt them.'

'Be careful, Lyta. Don't alarm them too early.'

But Lyta just shrugged and turned towards the doors. The guard opened it immediately.

G'Kar sighed. If only Lyta would have an opportunity to experience the kind of revelation he had... One day her anger was going to consume her whole and there will be no walking back.

As it happened, Lyta didn't have much need to search. She walked silently through corridors, broadcasting general telepathic signal making people not notice her. It was quite amazing what she discovered she could do when she finally started to check what exactly Vorlons had done to her. Sometimes she was even a bit grateful, until she remembered that if not for the stupid Vorlon-Shadow war, all of this wouldn't be necessary and telepathy would be just a fictional device made up to create interesting books and films. Well, the reality was not perfect, of course.

Following G'Kar's guidelines, she found Londo's personal quarters. She stopped, put her hand on the door and listened. For now without telepathy. She was able to discern two voices, one of them Londo's. The other one, silly-sounding and trembling belonged to the Regent as she heard Londo addressing the man like that.

Lyta was listening with quite much dread what the Regent was telling Londo. She somehow felt the ominous Drakh presence even earlier and that kept her from walking into the room. Instead, she built proper barriers in her mind to prevent being discovered. It was a strange thing, she simultaneously felt the Drakh inside the room and didn't, as if he were in two places at the same time. She barely heard what was spoken, about war, attack, Narn and Drazi fleet just appearing to attack defenseless Centauri Prime. So it seemed that Sheridan didn't manage to restrain his blood-thriving allies and for all Lyta knew the palace was to be bombed in any moment with all of them inside. Oh, if it were the perfect universe, the Drakh would be killed first.

She was nearly pushed into the wall by Londo, when he run to stop what was unstoppable. She followed him, as much to guard him as she agreed upon, as to put some distance between herself and the Drakh. Thank heavens, it was only one Drakh she felt so long and he most probably didn't notice her. Lyta wasn't certain if she'd be able to scan one without being spotted by the other one due to their connection and scanning even one was extremely risky. And to top it all Vorlons didn't really know how strong a connection Drakh had between them, or any other details, just a few bits of general knowledge. She would have to risk, but, after all, she supposed she could just kill the creature if necessary...

When Londo get out of prison the first thing he did was to talk to ministers. Vainly. The "Prime Minister" and "Future Emperor" titles just became jokes. In short, Londo didn't know what to do. At least when Cartagia was to be removed the plan was clear. Yes, difficult, very, but clear. Now Londo had some dreams, some intuitions, some scrambled words and no plan at all. It wasn't like him.

When he entered his room and saw the Regent waiting for him, he actually felt a tinge of hope. He talked to the Regent, feeling the odd mixture of protectiveness and sadness, but the man couldn't seem to be able to speak coherent at all. What parts were clear in Regent's talk weren't assuring at all. What was not clear was screaming of troubles. And the Regent seemed so fragile that Londo barely dared to inquire.

'What did they told you to do?'

'To send away all ships guarding Centauri Prime on a false emergency and turn off the planetary defense network.'

Upon hearing this, Londo dashed madly in hope to do something, anything.

Outside the palace the screams were heard and first missiles fell on capital city...